DENVER (CBS4) – Some NFL teams have one star receiver. A few have none. It can be argued that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has three bonafide No. 1 receivers lining up for him at the position.

Some NFL analysts wondered what the impact would be of the Broncos signing Wes Welker in the offseason. Would the number of touches go down for Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker?

So far that certainly hasn’t happened for Thomas, the special guest on Xfinity Monday Live. Five games into the Broncos amazing season he has scored four touchdowns and is near the top of the NFL stat charts with his 450 receiving yards and 34 receptions.

Thomas said he prefers the situation he’s in to that of some of his peers in the NFL who are the only featured receiver for their teams.

“I feel like if you’re the only receiver, you might have some guys that double team you and then you won’t be able to get the ball. So I’m fine where I’m at,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ teammate Decker has been enjoying a good season as well, although he caught some criticism for fumbling early on in the win against the Cowboys on Sunday.

“It happens to the best of us,” said Thomas, referring to Decker’s fumble. “The thing about that is that play is over with and you’ve got to just go with it. That’s what he did. He was able to make a play and help the team out in a scoring drive.”

Thomas says the Broncos coaches are constantly stressing ball control with the receiving corps.

“You notice when you’re in the middle of the field you’ve got a lot of guys coming from behind trying to knock it out. They try to teach us just to put our hand on the ball or sometimes just get down. Big guys will take a lot of hits,” Thomas said.

During the Broncos bye week at the end of this month Thomas will be making a special visit down south to visit a family member. His mother is in jail at a women’s prison in Florida, and he hopes to spend some time catching up with her.

Thomas did not have a normal childhood. His mother and grandmother were sent to jail when he was 11. ESPN recently featured an interview with Thomas where he talked about his mother:

Thomas said he still talks to his mom on a regular basis, and that her words always get him ready before he suits up on Sundays.

“I talk to my mom before the game and we pray,” Thomas said. “And my uncle that brought me up. I talk to them and we pray.”

Thomas isn’t sure when his mom will get out of prison, but “hopefully in the next two years.” Maybe it will be in time to see him win a Super Bowl with the Broncos.